Cosmic Debris
Welcome to Tapes ‘n’ Tapes, a bimonthly video series focusing on local cassette labels to help get the feel for why some people have turned to tapes for their musical medium.
A local label with East Coast roots, Will Jarrott and Richie Howard founded the punk-centric Cosmic Debris in September 2008. The two grew up in the D.C. suburbs, and they’ve kept Cosmic Debris alive despite the great distance that separates them. In less than three years, they’ve released a slew of cassettes from acts like D.C. hardcore band The Guilt and Virginia experimental trio Caves, Caverns, and a few 7-inch records, including one from local heavy hitters Like Rats.
The A.V. Club met up with Jarrott at the Cosmic Debris home base in his Humboldt Park apartment to discuss the pragmatic possibilities of tapes, giving artists complete control over their work, and the mystique of a demo cassette.
